DETERMINATION OF THE ATMOSPHERIC WATER-VAPOR CONTENT FROM REFLECTED AND SCATTERED RADIATION FROM SPACE

The paper considers the possible use of measurements of scattered and reflected solar radiation from space in the water vapour absorption ba nd (1.38 mu m) to obtain information about the atmospheric moisture co ntent. Numerical modelling of a space experiment showed that it is pos sible to obtain information about the humidity profile in the troposph ere (3-4 layers) with error of 5-10% and, in conditions of high moistu re content, about the profile in the stratosphere, with error 20% (3-4 ) layers. It is shown that the indirect method of estimation allows us to determine the total atmospheric moisture content with high accurac y (similar to 1%).